AN: I have a quick question for you all. When I was at the Popcorn Taxi Q & A session with Tom on Tuesday, and at the Kinokuniya signing on Wednesday, I couldn't help but wonder if any of my readers were in attendance. I was genuinely intrigued to know. The thing is, I couldn't just yell out "Hey, has anyone in here read With All Vice Tainted?" Because that would be awkward. There were about 300 at the Q & A and I reckon about 700 at the signing. So tell me, my Australian lovelies, were you there?

But in the mean time, have some bathhouse smut.

Chapter Eighteen

So Very Modest

You will tell no one of what has transpired here.

Two days had passed since Loki had crumbled in his mother's arms. Alex had been unable to move from her secluded corner, her eyes trained on display of intense emotion. In this state he had seemed a boy, innocent almost. It was hard to imagine that this was the same man pressing her against the door less than an hour before.

He had departed soon after his mother, these words slipping past trembling lips. Of course she would never tell a soul. To do so would incriminate the queen, not to mention herself. Yet, despite this, Loki had not returned to her chambers. Perhaps he was spending much needed time with his mother? Or maybe he was horrified that he had broken down in front of her: a mere mortal.

It was foolish to miss his embrace. The queen might choose to cast a romantic hue upon the affair, but Alex knew her relationship with Loki was nothing but destructive. He was right. She was a whore. Only the basest of creatures would covet the touch of a man who treated her with great contempt. Only a slut would scream his name while people on her home world yearned for his head.

Alex quickly parried one of Sif's blows, dragging her mind from its dangerous path. The training yards were filled with the clack of wood against wood. The stench of blood and sweat mingled with the smoke of surrounding fires, a heady concoction that only forced Alex to fight harder. Sif always had the upper hand, but she could see that even the Asgardian was taken aback by her ferocity, the calculated thrust of her sword, the offensive stance.

"You fight with purpose," the warrior panted, finally planting the point of her practice sword against Alex's throat.

Alex dropped her own weapon, the wooden blade flicking sand onto her boots.

"You could say that."

Sif gave her a long look, before lowering her own sword. "I will not pry. I simply wish to state that you should fight like this more often. Soon you will be better than I."

She was lying. Alex did not need to be the God of Lies to determine this. None-the-less, she did not stop the smile from spreading across her lips. Compliments from Sif were few and far between.

It did not take long for Alex to lose her third consecutive duel. In a sense, she was proud of her achievement. Upon first taking up the sword against Sif months before, she would return to her chambers in agony. On this evening, she felt nothing but a dull ache in her sword arm. Retrieving her sword, she got to her feet, noting only now that she and Sif were completely alone.

"The others will be at the baths. You should join us."

Alex frowned. This was not the first time Sif had invited her to the communal bathing houses of Odin's palace. Her usual reaction was to decline. As much as she enjoyed soaking, the idea of being completely exposed in a public location made her uncomfortable. Though months in the practice yards, a better diet and nightly dalliances with Loki had flattened her stomach and reduced some of her generous curves, Alex could not help but feel frumpy in comparison to Asgardian women.

Sif observed this trepidation, taking Alex's arm with a smile. "No excuses. The waters of the baths of Odin are divine."

"My personal bath is pretty divine."

The goddess of war laughed. "Surely a night spent in the company of naked warriors far surpasses your private bathing facilities!"

Alex shrugged. Sif did have a point. Besides, returning to her lonely chambers was not exactly something she anticipated. Idly, she thought of the times when she had dreaded finding Loki within her personal space. How things had changed.

The doors to the baths were marked with hundreds of symbols: some of fertility, others of love, lucks, battle, childbirth and Alex even recognised a few signatures, scrawled in a childish script. Compared to the rest of Odin's palace, this door seemed almost scruffy, quite unlike the lavish hall within.

The complex of the palace baths was monolithic, consisting of several alternate chambers branching off from the central room. This room contained shelves and drawers in which personal belongings could be kept. Huge, fluffy towels hung from hooked, routinely replaced by hoards of lightly dressed servants. Even within this open hall, nudity was commonplace, and Alex tried her hardest to keep her gaze diverted.

Locating several empty drawers and hangers, Sif and the Warriors Three started to disrobe. Alex's personal awkwardness trebled, yet she could not help but accept that within this environment, her S.H.I.E.L.D uniform looked utterly ridiculous. Keeping to the shadows as much as possible, she slipped from the clingy garment, pulling off her boots, until all that remained were her bra and knickers.

As obscene as the flimsy garments of green and black lace were, Alex was reluctant to remove them.

Re-crafting her hair into a messy bun, Alex followed her friends into one of the bathing chambers. It was a cacophony of sight and sound, skins of various hues glistening in the steamy atmosphere. Laughter, conversation and the lilted moans of love making poured through the air. Within the bathing house, it seemed, exhibitionism was rife.

"The women of Midgard wear too many clothes," Fandral sighed, sinking into the depths of the huge bath. "My lady Darcy was the same when I brought her here. I do not understand why she would want to hide assets as fine as hers." As though to illustrate, the blonde cupped his chest.

Alex could not resist. "Darcy came here?"

"Indeed. But as the night went on, I managed to lure her out of her layers." Fandral winked, and Alex could not help the spread of a blush. Awkward.

Despite the fact she looked quite overdressed in her underwear, Alex soon began to enjoy the steamy haven. Fine goblets of wine and ale were distributed among the guests at regular intervals. Some enjoyed massages, while other patrons swum through the steaming water. Time seemed to slip into nothing as Alex submerged herself in the depths of the pool. Every now and again she would strike up a conversation, flick some water at Volstagg or politely rebuke the advances of a curious Asgardian man. People soon started to disappear as the night wore on. Sif slipped out, dragging a toned dark-skinned man with her. As Alex watched them leave, she caught a flash of obsidian hair and pale skin.

Checking that Volstagg and the others were occupied, Alex slipped from the bath.

The alcove was shrouded in obscurity, barely noticed even by those who walked past. Steam acted like a barrier at its entrance, though the golden walls within were uncomfortably cool.

"By wearing clothes, you only draw attention to yourself, my little Midgardian."

It was a purr of sound, intoxicating, seductive. Since his impromptu departure from her chambers two nights before, Alex had yearned to hear that voice once more.

Long, pale fingers suddenly found her hips, her body drawn closer to his. He looked healthier than he had before; evidently the queen had been making sure he ate. His hair was now shorter, slicked back to rest at the nape of his neck. Momentarily Alex found herself disappointed that she had not been given the opportunity to cut it herself.

Gently, she caressed his sharp cheekbones with her fingers, eyes meeting his in the gloom. His lips found hers, tongue pushing into her ready mouth, gliding along her teeth. Like the other patrons of the baths, he was completely naked, his cock jutting into her stomach. As her fingers slid between them to caress it, Loki pulled away.

"I have things I wish to discuss with you," he murmured. "You will stay in the baths until most have left. I will meet you there."

Alex bit her lip, the wine driving her on. "What of your more immediate problem?" Despite his previous protestations, she reached for him again, riding her index finger under the thick shaft before gently cupping his sac.

"You are inebriated."

Alex sunk to her knees, difficult within the confined space. "A little." A tiny drop of pre-cum beckoned from the head, luring her, tempting her to take a small sharp lick. She did not know whether it was the wine, the heat, the steam or the fact she had spent the past few hours surrounded by sexually charged couples, but Alex could not resist. Every inch of him yearned to be kissed, so she obeyed, brushing the velvet skin with her lips until his breathing came in erratic gasps. Covering her teeth with her lips, she drew the head of his cock into her mouth, circling it with her tongue. Long fingers slipped through her hair even as her own dipped beneath the hem of her knickers.

"Yes... Alexandra..." his voice was weak, his climax a sheer certainty as she relentless pumped him, drawing his cock further into her mouth until the rounded tip reached her throat. The pressure, mingled with the reaction of her self-pleasuring, caused tears to drip from her closed eyes. Stars danced before shut lids, her own moans humming around his length until he came, deep in her throat.

"Let me," he growled, panting in his climax, dragging her to her feet. Her fingers were replaced by his, kisses drowning out the verbal representation of her own end. After what seemed a lifetime, his hand withdrew.

Alex sagged against the wall.

oOoOoOo

"My mother believes I should not treat you like a whore, yet at times, you insist on behaving like one."

It was not exactly the first statement Alex expected to hear, and in a way, she wished she had not. It was not as though she begrudged Loki and Frigga their bonding time, it just kind of freaked her out that they insisted on speaking about her. Her response was to glance at him as he slipped into the pool beside her. Only a smattering of light scars remained on his body, the bruising and blood long having disappeared.

A few people remained within the baths, but none had noticed the presence of the prince. Whether this was because of intoxication or Odin's orders, Alex would never know.

"I apologise."

Alex frowned. "Please don't."

Confusion spilled across his face.

"You were asked to apologise by your mother. You do not mean it. The words are nothing."

"You think me irredeemable, yet you let me fuck you?"

A short hiss of amusement left Alex's lips. "I fuck you because I enjoy it. Because we enjoy it. S.H.I.E.L.D is full of people with objectionable moral codes, Loki. I am merely one of them." Silence reigned for a moment before Alex spoke once more. "You have been seeing the queen, yes?"

"My mother, Thor and I have been dining together," Loki admitted. "Of course Odin knows nothing."

"And you discuss me."

"Yes," Loki nodded, his hand resting gently on her hip. "Though Thor has sworn not to say anything. He is... shocked... however."

Anger bubbled within her as she pulled away. Typical freaking Loki. "I would have liked it if you asked me first."

Loki shrugged. "I also told him of your mission."

Before Alex could think, the palm of her hand collided with the damp surface of his cheek. "You git. You had no-"

Within seconds, her wrist was enclosed within his grasp. His eyes were wild. "He has promised to aid you. It seems Thor is as disgruntled with Asgardian attitudes toward Midgard as Director Fury undoubtedly is." His lips scored a path from jaw to collarbone, causing her pale flesh to flush. "I have made you an additional ally, little one, you should be thankful."

There was something in that indulgent tone so reminiscent of old Loki that Alex felt herself melt. Her back soon came to meet the side of the pool, Loki's body trapping her. Fingers wrenched apart the clasp of her bra, sending the garment flying a few metres into the mist. The same fate awaited her knickers.

"I have already thanked you," she moaned against his lips.

Emerald eyes glimmered. "That you have, my Alexandra, partially." Slowly, she found herself being lifted from the pool until her arse rested precariously on the stone ledge. With both hands, Loki spread her legs, his position within the water allowing him leverage as his tongue reached forward to taste her.

"Not here, Loki, please."

He responded by spreading her legs wider, kissing the tender flesh at the apex of her thighs before using both thumbs to expose her further. Tiny mewls escaped her lips as he tasted every portion of exposed skin, carefully avoiding the aching nub of her clitoris. Holding herself with one arm, she used her other hand to push him closer. His resulting chuckle caused her mewls to slip into moans. Even as the tendrils of pleasure assaulted her, Alex knew just how exposed they were. It was truly shameless. She had never felt so exposed... or aroused. Nipples ached as her breasts her arched higher, and more than anything she wished for Loki to take care of them too.

When finally she did come, Loki continued to lick and suck the ultra sensitive flesh until she could do nothing but climax a second time. Without wiping his chin, as was his usual practice, Loki kissed his way up her body, flicking both nipples with his tongue before capturing her mouth with his own. Her hips rasped against the stone as he pushed her back, crawling from the water.

"Ride me," he ordered, rolling onto his back. Alex found herself straddling him, the hard shaft of his cock pressed against her lower back.

Alex shook her head. "Please Loki, I can't. I'm too..."

"Now."

Her eyes never leaving his face, Alex lowered herself down onto his waiting cock. Every inch he filled sensitised her further.

"Faster."

Alex bucked and twisted on his hips, eyes closed, head thrust back, caring little now that those remaining within the baths could see her. Loki's hands reached up to cup her breasts, moans leaving his throat.

With a sharp gasp, her inner walls tightened around him, milking him of his own louder climax. "Alexandra!"

Sighing, Alex came to rest on his chest, his softening length still deep within her. "Fuck me."

Loki grinned through his sharp breaths. "I believe I just did that, darling."